Don't Forget! Papers due by 9 am TODAY! (UPDATED)

Remember, I must receive your third papers by today (Wed) at 9:00 am. I have communicated with a number of you via email over the past few days, and I trust you're all doing well. I will do my best to send confirmation emails--however, if you definitely want an email showing that I received it, be sure to send to both rkrut@writing.ucsb.edu and robert.krut@gmail.com . Remember, it is essential that I get your paper today!

How the Independent Workshop Will Work *UPDATED*

As discussed in class, your workshop for the third paper will be an "Independent" one. Select a time with your teammates (given in class on Tuesday) to meet and complete the workshop. The workshop sheet can be found here: http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/rkrut/winter%20LIT%20wksop.doc . Print it out and bring it with you.

Complete the workshop as we do in class, using the sheet as your guide. Then, use your teammates' comments to help revise the paper. If, for some reason, one of your team members does not attend the workshop, please email me immediately.

Once you have your final draft ready to go, email it to me. (Please remember that the due date is Wed, 3/21 at 9:00 am--for me to receive it). I will send a confirmation within 24 hours of getting your paper. To be safe, please email it to two addresses--my regular school one, and a "Back-Up" address. This way, there's no way for email problems. As you know, my school email is rkrut@writing.ucsb.edu ....the backup email is robert.krut@gmail.com .

As always, please email me with any questions at all.

Research for the Third Paper

As you know, you have to have at least one source for your third paper. To find credible research on literature, please visit this site: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/subjects/english/engl.html . It will lead you through the library's databases, and take you to credible research. Like the last paper, please do not use wikipedia, about.com, etc. Anything you get from this library site will be credible...

PRINT OUT--Important Information for the End of Class

Please go to this page: http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/rkrut/W7%20last%202%20weeks.doc and print out the two-page handout. Bring it to class on Tuesday, where I will discuss it at length. Thanks!

New Unit Handouts--PRINT for TUESDAY

Hi Everyone--please go to this site: http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/rkrut/W7%20literature%20materials.doc and print out pages 1-5 for class on Tuesday. I'd hold off on printing the rest out just yet...more details to come in class Tuesday.

For now, though, be sure to print out pages 1-5 and bring them to class...thanks!

Important Information About the Paper...

Hi Everyone--

I hope you're having a nice weekend. I've heard from a number of you with questions and rough drafts--thanks for sharing. Remember, I am always available to assist you like this--please don't hesitate to contact me. As the paper is due in our next class, here are some important points to remember.

1. On Tuesday, you will turn in the Final Draft stapled together, and then, separately, all of the pre-work stapled together.

2. There is an "extra credit" option as well. If you are done with your paper by Monday at 9 am, you can email it to me (as a .doc or .rtf file), and you will receive extra credit. Then, in class on Tuesday, you just have to give me the pre-work. If you turn in your paper early via email, you will receive your grade via email, as well (before Tuesday's class, even).

3. I would like to draw your attention again to this link: http://library.osu.edu/sites/guides/chicagogd.php . This is a great resource for understanding how to use Chicago style, and has details on how to cite within the text, and on the References page. Hope it helps!

4. Don't forget that you can always email me with any questions.

Best of luck finishing the paper!

Thursday's Expanded Office Hours

As discussed in class, I will be having extended office hours on Thursday afternoon. I will be in my office from 5-6 pm if you would like to meet about your paper. If that time does not work for you, please feel free, as always, to email me with any questions at all.

If you would like me to look over your paper, please try to have some specific questions in mind. In addition, please email it to me with at least 48 hours before the due date.

Thanks!

I just sent an important email

I just sent an email to everyone--if, for some reason, you did not receive it, please email me right away. The email included an important attachment you will need to print out for Tuesday's class.

Thanks--enjoy the rest of your long weekend!

This Friday: DuBois Event (EXTRA CREDIT)

As discussed in class today, there is a special event for ACE students this Friday. The annual DuBois Event presents the idea of grad school to ACE students in their first year, in hopes of providing a long-term look at educational opportunities.

The festivities start at 2:30 in the Harbor Room at the UCEN, where former UCSB grad student/TA John Gamber will give his keynote address, after which a graduate student panel will offer some words of encouragement to the crowd. Please be on time to receive the extra credit...

After that, there is a reception at the African American and American Indian Cultural Center (AAAIICC), building 434, EOP. There will be pizza and soda (yes, there will be food...) as well as a variety of graduate student roundtables.

At 6:00, there will be a poetry reading by Nila NorthSun, who will read for about 20-30 minutes, and then we’ll turn the ‘mic” over to students (and anyone else that wants to read). And yes, there is another point of extra credit for sticking around and taking part for this portion, too...

This is a really valuable experience--I usually don't offer extra credit, to be honest...but I'm not so naive as to not realize it is a Friday afternoon... See you there...

Information for Paper 2 Research

Tomorrow in class, we will begin to discuss the outside research you will need to complete for the second paper. While this class does not require as much outside research as the next level of writing course (WR 50 or a 109), I do want you to be introduced to some work in this area.

As you know, you will need to locate two additional sources to help your Explanatory Synthesis. This research must come from credible sources. The easiest way to locate credible sources is by working directly through the library--99.9% of the time, it won't steer you wrong.

To find research on your topic, here are some helpful links...

1. http://www.library.ucsb.edu/subjects/index.html By using this site, you can click on a variety of subject areas, and it will lead you through the steps to locate appropriate research. For this paper, you may want to explore some of these areas: Chemistry, Medicine, Psychology, Biology.

2. http://www.library.ucsb.edu/help/faqresearch.html#research This site will be helpful as an introduction to research at the library, if you need it.

3. http://www.library.ucsb.edu/learn/ This site will be helpful in evaluating sources and working with web sources. I am not requiring it as homework, per se, but it will benefit you in the long run.

4. http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/citex.html This is a helpful link about citing sources using a variety of styles.

5. http://library.osu.edu/sites/guides/chicagogd.php This site details how to cite using Chicago Style.

Hope this all helps!

PRINT and BRING to CLASS on THURSDAY

I just emailed everyone, but if you did not receive it for some reason....

The following information is important to bring to class tomorrow. Please print this out (if you didn't get the email) and bring it to tomorrow's class. Thanks!


Your Second Paper—Explanatory Synthesis: ADDICTION

The second paper will be focused on our work in the “Addiction” unit. For this essay, you will write an Explanatory Synthesis. An explanatory synthesis asks you to look at a particular point from a variety of perspectives. It is an objective discussion of the subject—you do not offer your opinion on the subject or viewpoints. An Explanatory Synthesis “provides an explanation”—it is there to “convey information.” A good way of looking at it is like an article in the newspaper. More details follow on this sheet, and will be discussed in class.

You can select one of the following topics for your paper…

*Compare/contrast any two kinds of addiction as discussed in the readings. Be specific—don’t just rely on the surface reasons.

*Compare/contrast different ideas on the causes of/reasons for addiction in people.

*Compare/contrast different solutions for addiction.

*Using the readings, discuss the two sides of the argument over internet addiction.

*Or, if you can identify a topic that syntethesizes two of the articles to explain something, that will work, as well---you just have to check it with me.


Now, for the specifics and technicalities…

*It must be at least 5 pages, no more than 6; font size 12; stapled or in a folder; double-spaced; etc.

*It must follow Chicago Style format for layout and citations (you must use at least one direct quote from each source you integrate, and all quoted/paraphrased material must be cited).

*unlike your last paper, there is some outside research required to help expand on your points. Once you have chosen your subjects, you must locate two credible sources on your topic to integrate into the essay.

*The Final Portfolio will include the Final Draft (with Works Cited page), Rough Draft, Workshop Comments, Reading Responses, Pre-Work, and an Assessment Exercise.


The reading schedule will be given in class.

Other important due dates---

Thurs, Feb 15: Know your topic and two essays for paper
Tues, Feb 20: Bring all research to class
Thurs, Feb 22: Rough Draft Due
Tues, Feb 27: Final Draft Due

Additional Readings for the Addiction Unit

It has come to my attention that, somehow, a bunch of pages are missing from the reader. As I try to get to the bottom of how the happened (and how to get my originals back from the printer!), we'll try something different. I have located the readings online, so all you need to do is to go the following sites to get the readings.

There is a wide variety in style and approach here--some are short little articles, others are in-depth research. Give yourself plenty of time to go through them, and remember to actively read. If you find yourself growing tired with one, take a break, and come back to it. I will expect that you have read all of them by class on Tuesday, 2/13--a reading response will be due on that day. Since the readings are longer, the reading response should be 2-3 pages instead of the usual 1-2, and can be about as many of the articles as you like (1, 2, or even all of them).

Here goes:

Internet Addiction: http://www.netaddiction.com/articles/newdisorder.htm

What Makes the Internet Addictive: http://www.netaddiction.com/articles/habitforming.htm

Hooked Online: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/12/1674_50516

Internet Addiction Disorder: http://www.chem.vt.edu/chem-dept/dessy/honors/papers/ferris.html

Is Internet Addiction Real?: http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr00/addiction.html

Addiction as a Disease: http://www.thirteen.org/closetohome/science/ (For this site, be sure to navigate through--look at the links for "Treatment" and "Prevention" as well)

Addiction Center: http://health.yahoo.com/centers/addiction/1435;_ylt=ArrLZhHRV2XWZZFV5rYbNde7lr0F(Also, through this site, check out at least three of the specific addictions in the side menu. Also, check out the "Treating Addiction" link)

What To Turn in With Your Paper Tomorrow

As you know, the first paper is due tomorrow. Please remember the following:

1. Your Final Draft should be stapled on its own--not with the pre-work.

2. The pre-work should all be stapled together as its own pile of materials. This includes a representative rough draft and the in-class work from the past 2 weeks (the "content" and "form" exercises). I have your reading responses already.

3. I mentioned this in class, but I want to repeat: You will receive one grade for the actual paper (on a typical A-F scale), and another grade exclusively for citation/APA format (25 points). The paper grade will go into your major paper percentage for the final course grade, while the citation grade will go into the "homework" percentage.

For the next week, we will be leading into our unit on addiction, which means we will be having a lot of interesting discussion and activities. Be ready to dive in tomorrow!

APA Format

As you know, you will use APA FORMAT for the upcoming paper. While this style is discussed in your Writer's Reference, here's another site to help you understand. At the bottom of the page, you will find a list of topics relating to the format--be sure to explore, so you are clear on formatting.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

Active Reading

Many of you may remember this information from last quarter, but I'd like to take a moment to reiterate the importance of active reading. Throughout Writing 2, you will read a number of articles, essays, and pieces of literature--all of which will require thorough, active reading. Here, at the beginning of the quarter, it is worth remembering what that means, and how to read in this manner. I've pasted the handout from last quarter here--take a look to refresh your memory...


Active Reading (from www.nsbe.org/programs/studytips2.php)

STEP ONE: SURVEY. Skim the chapter, reading only the chapter title, subtitles, italicized terms, boldface type, and introductory or summary sections. Make mental predictions about what you think the chapter will discuss.

STEP TWO: QUESTION. Change all chapter titles, subtitles, sections, and paragraph headings into questions. For example, the section heading “The Gas Laws of Boyle, Charles, and Avogadro” might become “What are the gas laws of Boyle, Charles, and Avogadro?” Similarly, you could transform “Distinguishing Heredity and Environment” into “How does one distinguish heredity from environment?” These questions become “hooks” on which to hang the reading material. *Write these questions out in a reading journal, leaving plenty of room for notes. Look over the questions to see the emphasis and overall direction of them. Determine if there are any questions you can answer before doing the reading.

STEP THREE: READ. Read the chapter section by section for the purpose of answering the questions generated in Step 2.

STEP FOUR: RECALL. Without looking at your book or notes, mentally visualize and sketch, in your own words, the high points of the material immediately upon completing the reading.

STEP FIVE: REVIEW. Look at your questions, answers, notes and book to see how well you actually recalled the reading (i.e. completed Step 4). Observe carefully the points you recalled incorrectly or simply omitted. Fix carefully in your mind the logical sequence of the entire idea or problem, or of all the concepts covered in each section or chapter. Finish up with a mental picture of the WHOLE concept, paragraph, or chapter you’ve just covered.


More Active Reading Strategies

Choose the strategies that work best for you or that best suit your purpose. You do not need to use them all every time you read.

Ask yourself pre-reading questions. For instance: What is the topic and what do you already know?

Define any unfamiliar terms.

Bracket the main idea of the reading and put an asterisk next to it. You will read the introduction or first paragraph carefully to find this information.

Put down your highlighter. Make margin notes or comments. Every time you feel the urge to highlight something, write instead. You can summarize the text, ask questions, give assent, or protest vehemently. Have a dialogue with the author. You can also write down key words to help you recall where important points are discussed.

Write questions in the margins. Answer the questions in a reading journal or on a separate piece of paper. If it is a textbook, try changing all the titles, subtitles, sections and paragraph headings into questions.

Make outlines, flowcharts, or diagrams that help you to visually map and understand ideas.

Read each paragraph carefully and then determine “what it says” and “what it does.” Write your comments in the margin. Answer “what it says” in only one sentence. Represent the main idea of ht paragraph in your own words. To answer “what it does” describe the paragraph’s purpose within the text: for example, “Provides evidence for the author’s first main reason,” “Summarizes an opposing view.”

Write a summary of an essay or chapter in your own words. Do this in less than a page. Capture the essential ideas and maybe one or two key examples. This is a great way to be sure you know “what it says.”

Write your own exam question based on the reading.

Teach what you have learned to someone else! This is one of the most effective ways to learn. If you try to explain aloud what you have been studying: 1) you’ll transfer the information from short-term to long-term memory and 2) you’ll really know what you understand and what you don’t.

Homework for Tuesday (1/16)

Great discussion in class on Thursday, everyone. I'm really looking forward to seeing where you go with this unit.

For Tuesday, please read pages 1-28 in the course reader, and write a reading response (but not on "The Lottery").

Email with any questions--see you then!

See You Tuesday (Writing 2 Begins)

Hi Everyone--

I'm looking forward to seeing you all, and catching up, on Tuesday. Writing 2 will mark a new beginning for our work, and I'm excited to dive in. Please bring the syllabus I emailed you last week (drop me a note if you did not receive it). See you then...